Druckenmiller Charged With Rape * The Ex-northampton High Standout Will Remain With The 49ers But Is Expected To Surrender To Montgomery County, Va. Authorities On Wednesday.

April 24, 1999|by GARY R. BLOCKUS, The Morning Call

Jim Druckenmiller, Jr., once the quarterback of the future for the San Francisco 49ers, isn't just in a fight for a roster spot these days. He's fighting for his reputation.

On Thursday night, Montgomery County (Va.) Circuit Judge Ray Grubbs unsealed an April 13 indictment charging Druckenmiller, who played football at Northampton High and Virginia Tech, with raping a Virginia Tech student in Blacksburg "on or about March 4, 1999."

Druckenmiller is expected to surrender to Montgomery County officials on Wednesday after the conclusion of the 49ers' mini camp.

Druckenmiller, who was the No. 3 quarterback for the 49ers last season, is taking part in the team's minicamp in Santa Clara, Calif. and met with the media after practice on Friday to discuss football issues.

"We have been advised by Jim's attorney (David Neufeld) not to discuss this issue until the legal process has run its course," said a statement issued by the 49ers. "Jim is a member of the San Francisco 49ers and will continue to participate in all team activities."

"He's going to be evaluated based on his performance on the football field," said 49ers Head Coach Steve Mariucci, who discussed the issue with Druckenmiller and agreed the quarterback could continue to practice with the team.

"I feel very confident I'll be available for this season," Druckenmiller told the media following Friday's practice. "I do believe justice will prevail. My teammates have been more than supportive. We've got a minicamp here and we're working on football."

Druckenmiller's dad, Jim, Sr., said the family had no comment at this time but may make a statement after speaking with their son.

Druckenmiller, the No. 4-leading quarterback in Virginia Tech history, visited his former campus in March.

"Jim and his friends were visiting some local nightspots with others, when the accuser openly and aggressively began pursuing him," reads a statement issued by Neufeld.

Druckenmiller is being represented by attorneys Deborah Caldwell-Bono of Roanoke, Va. and Bev Davis of Radford, Va. in the rape matter.

The statement went on to say, "That same evening they had sex, but she now apparently questions whether or not she consented.

"As soon as Jim learned of this, he spoke and cooperated with the authorities. He also voluntarily took and passed a polygraph test, but, to our knowledge, she did not. Efforts to get additional information have been hindered by the accused's demands that an investigator not contact other persons who have knowledge of that night's events."

The statement further says the 26-year-old Druckenmiller is confident he will be fully vindicated, and that he will not comment on the matter with anyone under advice of his attorneys.

A phone call to the victim for comment on Druckenmiller's side of the story was not returned.

The indictment was unsealed after a motion was filed by The Roanoke Times to make the document public. The indictment was dated April 13 and witnessed by the victim and Det. Joyce Woolwine of the Blacksburg Police Department.

Prosecutor Peggy Frank said the document was sealed at the request of the victim.

"She's got a few more weeks of school and she was concerned about getting through that with some sort of privacy," Frank said.

In football terms, an indictment is the offensive charge for the victim. Druckenmiller will not be allowed to present a defense until he surrenders to Montgomery County authorities.

"Until such time as a defendant is arrested, there is no charge for the defendant to answer," explained Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Skip Schwab.

Druckenmiller has been in trouble in Blacksburg before. A charge of malicious wounding by mob from a 1996 bar fight was dropped, but two men injured in the fight have filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Druckenmiller, three other's involved in the fight, and the owners of the nightclub where the fight occurred. No date has been set for that trial.

NFL policy dictates that any player charged with a violent crime is required to undergo immediate clinical evaluation and counseling. In case of a conviction or admission to the crime, the NFL could fine or suspend a player without pay.

A rape conviction in Virginia carries a sentence of 5 years to life in prison.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Druckenmiller was the No. 1 pick of the 49ers in 1997 after leading Virginia Tech to a 20-4 record as a starter.

He was drafted as the heir apparent to Steve Young, but Ty Detmer was the No. 2 quarterback for the 49ers last season. The 49ers recently signed free agent quarterback Jeff Garcia from the Canadian Football League.